The harmony-rich girl pop of platinum-selling supergroup Point of Grace has never sounded better than on Free to Fly, which finds the group surging with new creative and vocal energy after a year-long hiatus. Focusing more attention on their material this time around, they looked outside the Christian songwriting community for the first time -- with ear-opening results. The first track, "By Heart," was obviously written as a mainstream love song, then given just enough lyric tweaks to avoid offending core Christian fans. Although this upbeat ballad would have been the perfect vehicle for the crossover radio success POG deserve, the retrofitted spiritual message feels awkward. Better is the material from hit-makers of past albums; Lowell Alexander, who wrote POG's 1997 Dove Award-winning "Keep the Candle Burning," contributes the can't-miss power ballad "You Will Never Walk Alone." Vocally, the women show considerable moxie on the excellent "Free Indeed," a jazzy pop number with funky flare that proves these girls have attitude -- not to mention plenty of grace.
